Art Deco Illustrated Presentations 2014
He Dared To Fall In Love With A Cannibal Princess!

Don The Beachcomber & The Origins of the American Tiki Bar & ENCHANTED ISLAND

Co-presented with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles. Sponsored by Deadhead Rum

Tiki guru Sven Kirsten (author of Book of Tiki) will give an illustrated presentation (60 min.) about the charismatic world traveler, Donn Beach aka Ernest Gantt, the originator of the Tiki Bar with his 1934 Don the Beachcomber bar (on McCadden Place across the street from the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood!). He is credited with the invention of over 80 (mostly rum based) cocktails such as the Zombie. Following the presentation is a booksigning of Sven’s latest book Tiki Pop, America Imagines Its Own Polynesian Paradise (Taschen) published in connection with an exhibition at the prestigious Musée du quai Branly.

The 1958 film ENCHANTED ISLAND will screen following the lecture:

Join us in the lobby at the break between the presentation and the film screening for Tiki Cocktail tasting sponsored by Deadhead Rum and a booksigning with Sven Kirsten. Wear your best Tiki gear. An exotic tropical, non-alcoholic beverage will be available as well.

$15 General Admission
$12 Students/Seniors
$10 Cinematheque & Art Deco Society Members*
Members must show their current membership card at the door.

ENCHANTED ISLAND
1958, Warner Bros., 93 min, USA, Dir: Allan Dwan
The movie poster tagline screamed: “He dared to love a cannibal princess!” Director Allan Dwan brought his trademark lyrical romanticism to this kitschy adaptation of Herman Melville’s Typee. Shot on location as well as on some studio sets, this tiki-laden story of a deserting sailor (Dana Andrews) who falls in love with a native princess (Jane Powell, of all people!) gets the full Technicolor treatment.

I had also planned to sell some at the Intl. Marketplace at Don's on the 19th, and at the Poly Hai event at Purple Orchid on the 20th - but this has been put into question by this e-mail from Taschen today:

"Sorry for the delay here, we were waiting on confirmation of shipping company and unfortunately just today we learned that the container is delayed until 7/11"

That's the day the ship comes into port, from there they have to go to the warehouse to be distributed. I am trying to get them by the end of next week, but can't say if it will work.

There will also be a booksigning event at the Taschen store at Farmer's Market on Aug 3rd, and a slide show and signing at Oasis:

At all these events, the books will of course sell for their retail price of $ 59.99
To counteract the underpricing of Amazon that threatens small book stores I will go against my usual policy and NOT sign any carry-ons! That thing is too big and heavy to lug around anyway!

Awesome! I was already scheduled to fly into LA for the grand re-opening of Disneyland's Club 33, and this event will mark the perfect ending to my week in SoCal! This just couldn't have worked out better.

I'll probably carry the book onboard my return flight and enjoy it in the friendly skies on the way home.

A few, I only brought 40 over from Paris. I will sell like 10 at each event.

It is NOT a doc about the exhibit, but about the American Tiki scene as captured by a French TV crew earlier this year. To have it available at the opening of the show, they obviously could not document the exhibition

The Egyptian Theatre posted on Facebook: We can only guarantee a cocktail taste to people who purchase tickets by Thursday at 5 PM on fandango or at the Egyptian Theatre box office, because we have to buy the drink ingredients. if you purchase at the door, we may not have a drink for you, depending upon how many other people purchase at the door. Please be sure to bring your ID. if ya want a zombie!